From start-up to standout: Why investing in techpreneurs is investing in the future?
In May 2025, GoodApp, a South African-born home services platform, was named Start-Up of the Year at the prestigious Intelligent ICT Awards, an honour that not only recognises technical achievement but also affirms the growing momentum behind purpose-driven African innovation.
Founded with a bold vision to reimagine how communities' access essential services, GoodApp is quickly becoming a case study in what's possible when local talent meets global ambition. More than just a service marketplace, it is a digital infrastructure layer that connects customers with vetted professionals ranging from electricians and plumbers to beauticians, handymen, massage therapists, and more, all at the tap of a button.
At the helm of the company's technological evolution is Prakhar Srivastava, Chief Executive Officer, whose product leadership has enabled the platform to scale rapidly across South Africa's urban hubs.
'We believe technology should be transformational, not just functional,' says Srivastava. 'GoodApp was created to remove friction from everyday life and unlock opportunity for both users and service providers.'
The team's journey from a bootstrapped concept to an award-winning platform underscores the broader need for more investment in African tech ecosystems. While recognition is valuable, Srivastava emphasises that startups need more than applause, they need capital, infrastructure, mentorship, and regulatory environments that allow innovation to thrive.
Across the continent, a new generation of techpreneurs is building solutions that are locally grounded yet globally scalable. From fintech and agritech to healthtech and edtech, African founders are no longer just responding to problems, they're anticipating them.
'It takes an ecosystem,' notes Srivastava. 'Investors, regulators, customers, and collaborators must come together with a shared belief that tech is not just an industry, but a vehicle for inclusive growth.'
GoodApp's rise is a testament to that philosophy. Its platform prioritises trust, quality, and community upliftment, with every service provider undergoing rigorous vetting, background checks, and performance monitoring. Customer ratings and reviews ensure transparency, while technology enables seamless access for users across income levels and geographies.
Srivastava concludes:
'As African digital economies continue to expand, platforms like GoodApp show what's possible when ambition meets support – and when startups are given the resources to scale.
To policymakers: build frameworks that encourage innovation.
To investors: look beyond the spreadsheet – see the vision.
To founders: build with purpose, and build for people.
Because the next global tech success story won't just come from Silicon Valley. It will come from Soweto, Nairobi, Lagos, or Khayelitsha. And when it does, it will be because someone chose to back an idea that mattered.'
Syndigate.info).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
South Africa: Select Committee on Public Infrastructure Is Briefed by Auditor-General
The Select Committee on Public Infrastructure and the Ministries in the Presidency received a briefing from the Auditor-General (AG) of South Africa on the audit outcomes for the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME), Brand SA and Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). The committee expressed serious concerns about the mixed performance of these critical government institutions that report to the department. Committee Chairperson Mr Rikus Badenhorst noted that while Brand SA maintained its clean audit status, the regression in the DPME's audit outcome from clean to unqualified with findings, as well as the persistent material findings at Stats SA, point to systemic weaknesses in expenditure management, internal controls and consequence management across the portfolio. "What emerges most clearly from the Auditor-General's presentation is a culture of stagnation. Recommendations are noted but not acted upon, plans are drafted but not internalised, and repeat findings accumulate without resolution. We cannot allow inaction to become institutionalised," said Mr Badenhorst. The committee was particularly concerned about the significant backlog of unresolved irregular and fruitless expenditure cases at Stats SA, some dating back over a decade. Members of the committee argued that the vacancies in key positions, including the CFO role which has been vacant for eight years, have severely weakened the control environment and accountability mechanisms at the entity. The committee said the credibility of the data and statistics produced by Stats SA is critical for effective government planning and service delivery. The persistence of these governance and financial management failures is deeply troubling and requires urgent intervention. The committee welcomed the Auditor General's recommendations for the accounting officers, including: - Ensuring vacant positions are timeously filled to maintain effective internal controls - Enhancing reviews of performance planning and reporting processes - Swiftly resolving all cases of irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure - Monitoring the implementation of action plans with a focus on daily controls and reconciliations Members emphasised the need for the executive authority and accounting officers to be held accountable for addressing these persistent weaknesses. The committee committed to regularly engage the DPME, Brand SA and Stats SA to monitor progress on implementing the AG's recommendations and achieving tangible improvements in audit outcomes, performance and accountability. 'This report must be our guide when we engage these departments during the upcoming budget process. We cannot allow inaction to become institutionalised. The people of South Africa deserve efficient, transparent and accountable public institutions that deliver on their developmental mandate,' concluded Mr Badenhorst. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Khaleej Times
3 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Ethiopian Airlines commences new passenger service to Sharjah
Ethiopian Airlines, Africa's largest network operating carrier, has launched a new passenger service from Sharjah to Addis Ababa from June 1. The new route will be operated four-times weekly, delivering convenient options between Sharjah and the Ethiopian global network. The flights will also initiate a significant trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between Africa and the Middle East. Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew, stated, 'We are truly delighted to connect our passengers to an additional getaway in the UAE with our new flights to Sharjah. We have been connecting the UAE and Africa for nearly five decades now and the new service will help boost investment, tourism, diplomatic and socio-economic bonds between the two regions.' The route launch and inaugural flight was celebrated in Sharjah with an event attended by Sheikh Khalid Isam Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Department of Civil Aviation – Sharjah, Oumer Hussien, Ambassador of Ethiopia to the UAE, Solomon Begashaw, Area Manager, Ethiopian Airlines (UAE), Rahel Assefa, Vice President - Marketing, Ethiopian Airlines Group, Khalid Waleed Al Mansoori, Manager - Overseas Promotions Department, Sharjah Tourism, and other officials from Sharjah Government and Ethiopian Airlines. Ethiopian Airlines has been providing cargo services to Sharjah, one of the UAE's vibrant cities known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and dynamic business environment. With the launch of its new passenger flights to Sharjah, Ethiopian Airlines now offers a convenient travel option for both business and leisure travelers. Passengers can look forward to a seamless journey, supported by the airline's state-of-the-art facilities and world-class customer service, ensuring a comfortable and memorable flying experience. As part of the evening's celebrations, a lucky draw added excitement to the occasion, with three winners selected. The first prize was a prestigious Business Class ticket, the second an Economy Class ticket, and the third winner received a collectible 1:100 die-cast model of an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft — a thoughtful keepsake honoring the airline's legacy. Sharjah, the third-largest emirate in the UAE, joins Ethiopian Airlines' network as its second passenger destination in the country. Widely recognized as the UAE's cultural capital, Sharjah also serves as an industrial powerhouse and educational hub. Its convenient access to major international airports makes it a strategic gateway for global companies seeking to tap into emerging markets. Known as the cultural heart of the UAE, Sharjah is rapidly transforming into a sought-after destination for adventure and eco-tourism—particularly across its eastern and central regions. This growth is creating significant opportunities in hospitality, leisure, entertainment, food and beverage, retail, and other travel-related sectors.
Zawya
5 hours ago
- Zawya
Mining in Motion Outlines Strategies for Formalizing Ghana's Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) Sector
Industry leaders at the Mining in Motion 2025 summit spotlighted Ghana's ongoing efforts to formalize its artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector. Participants on an India Gold Metaverse-sponsored session – titled Case Studies in ASGM Formalization: Learning from Successes and Addressing Challenges – emphasized that formalization has the potential to catalyze sustainability, build stronger communities and drive long-term economic growth. 'We need regulatory and legislative changes that support small-scale miners and ensure that revenue from their contributions translates into real economic, social and communal growth,' stated Martin Ayisi, CEO of the Minerals Commission of Ghana. Ayisi called for bold regulatory and financial interventions in the sector, stressing the urgent need for investment in geological investigations and sustainable technologies to prevent encroachment on protected areas and improve sector-wide outcomes. From an regional perspective, Cisse Vakaba, Advisor to the President on Mining, Ivory Coast, emphasized the foundational role of geology in building a viable ASGM sector. He stressed that state support must go beyond issuing permits to include geological surveys, professional training, community engagement and digital tools for traceability. 'I really think that the basis for small mines is the geological aspect. This is the aspect where we have to work, to see the areas where they can exploit,' Vakaba stated, adding, 'The State must provide support. It's not enough to issue a title, a permit. We need to support prospecting and geological research.' Meanwhile, Melissa Correa Vélez, Program Manager, Swiss Better Gold, highlighted the human-centered approach necessary to make formalization efforts successful. Velez – through Swiss Better Gold's Boots on the Ground initiative – advocates for programs, including technical support and community-oriented training, that extend beyond legal structures to genuinely improve livelihoods and environmental stewardship. 'If you want to work with artisanal miners, work with them. Keep the miners interested in being responsible. If the miners lose interest because of the challenges, they will become illegal,' Velez stated. For his part, Kwaku Afrifa Nsiah-Asare, Lawyer and Entrepreneur, Typhoon Greenfield Development, emphasized that government support will be a requisite for ASGM formalization in Ghana, speaking candidly on social and financial challenges in the sector. 'By doing everything properly, the Minerals Commission of Ghana has been extremely supportive and made it worthwhile for us to do business. It's about partnerships and leadership in government,' Nsiah-Asare stated. Bringing a tech-forward perspective, Lamon Rutten, Managing Director and CEO of India Gold Metaverse, spoke to the transformative potential of digital innovation in the ASGM value chain. 'Blockchain technologies and AI can help improve artisanal and small-scale mining operations. Tools like geo-tracking, radio-frequency identification-equipped machinery and internet-of-things devices allow us to trace ore sources. If you really want to develop small-scale mining, work with local banks. Let them understand the sector and they will help drive sustainable growth,' Rutten said. During the presentation, the panelists agreed that projects including the Ghana Land Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project – a joint initiative with the World Bank – are setting a precedent. By offering financial and technical support, simplifying license through District Mining Committees, and organizing miners into Community Mining Schemes, Ghana is building an ASGM sector that is increasingly legal, sustainable and community driven. Organized by the Ashanti Green Initiative – led by Oheneba Kwaku Duah, Prince of Ghana's Ashanti Kingdom – in collaboration with Ghana's Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, World Bank, and the World Gold Council, with the support of Ghana's Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the summit offers unparalleled opportunities to connect with industry leaders. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.
